Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-02-24
WHAT IS A TEST OF REL1o1oN9

When we see persons who pretend
large amount Of religion, much mol
than their neishbors, we often ask on
selves this question wonder if the
would be willing to spare little of it t
help neigbbor in distress? Ho,
much of personal sacrifice would the
b. ready to make 10 render ncig hbo
as comfortable as themselves, unless the.
thought that neighbor would soon be abb
to return an equivalent, and perhap
with interest? How many give aims
without public display, and are willin,
and ready to await their reward i,
heaven, where they claim that they arr
going? How many would be willing t,
see their. poorer ncighbors occupy /,
higher seat in heaven than they do
without feelings sense Of modification
How many would like to see ragged
lazarus iu Abraham's bosom, while they
with their fac clothes were told to occupy
remote corner away from the. throne
and without crowns upon their heads
Would 1t then be heaven to them
; There are many claiming to worship God
who always seek the most conspicuous
and popular places in the house of wor.
ship, and apparently exhibit an Dir Of
dissatisfaction and sometimes of shame,
it their poor ncighbors arc occupying
more conspicuous aud honorable seats
than they. Who that has been a fire..
qucnter Of churches Of any sect or creed,
has not witnessed the exhibition Of this
feeling Of chagrin and disappointment,
even among those who lay claim to be
true worshipers? Loud prayers, loud
anathermas and denunciations Of your
nsi2hbors, in public is no evidence Of
religion. The Pharisee of the Bible did
all this and boosted that be fasted twice
per week, that be gave aims to the poor
and that he was better than the poor pub
fcan, and claimed Gods favor in con.
sequence, but the Almighty could not
See things in that light, but when the
poor publican entered the temple he
smote upon his breast and said God be
mercifal to me a sinner. That man
went down to his house justified rather
than the other. While it is not sour
province to judge OF the hearts Of any,
Jet from the observations we have made, |
We infer that there is much that il
spurious in the professions Of many who
claim to be more holy than their every
DAY neishbors, who, though they may
30 to their houses Of worship twice
week and even more and make long
public prayers and exhort their neigh
boEs to do the same, may give Of their
abundance to feed the poor and thereby |
Ehirk they are better than many others
whom they haughtily pass by and say to
1--WE are heller than YOU
while At the same time, perhaps some
poor woman who has earned small
pittance by hard labor, sacrifices that
pittance to aid some poor sufferer rather
han expend for luxurious dress or liv-
ng and no one of her neighbors knows
he sacrifice she has made, and like the
publican enters the temple Of God with
'he prayer "God be msrciful to me
INNER That woman will go home
justified rather than the others. Self.
'ighteous people who believe they are
LONG right are only deceiving and in-
aring themselves. There is another /,
lass who know they have no religion
hey profess it only to get the confidence
f their fellows to get into position so
hat they can use that position to their :
'wn personal selfish advantage. A
rofession Of religion Is their cloak under ,
be mantle of which they hope to hide ,
heir moral deformities and pass current
mong their neighbors as honest and ,
'orthy. Hypocrisy is their stock in
fade to be employed whenever and
'herever the open and honest senti-
tents would not secure for them the
Of their neighbors and &C !.
uaintances. OF all the characters to be
espiseda and detested and loathed by hon.
It people the hypocrite is the worst in
ne religious world, and the intelligence
Fthe people outside the church is such
tho present day that the veil Of
ypocrisy is easily lifted aud the cloven $
'ot disclosed. SO that people are not long :,
ignorance Of their true character. I,
incere, honest and earnest worshippers al
ways command the respect even OF un. S.
'lievers, wherever they are found, even =
it be among heather nations who q
low hot Of tho bible or its teachings. {;
ut hypocrisy commands no respect .,
~ among hypocrites aad then only as d